Sicily tour, classical Sicily
Highlights
Syracusa | Valley of the Temples in Agrigento | Boat ride to Mozia Island | Palermo | Giardini Naxos | Cefalu | Taormina | Optional excursion to Mount Etna |
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.com
Check dates, prices & availability
The leaders are not guides – they’re not there to shepherd you around. Instead, they’ll let you know which local restaurant serves great value food – without running the risk of travelers’ tummy. They’ll allow you to avoid hour-long queues at train stations and attractions.
We like to think of small group travel as the Goldilocks option. It is independent travel without the fuss, worry and bunk beds – and organised travel without the coaches. And it’s cheaper than a tailor made tour. It’s sits somewhere in the middle – and we think it’s just about right.
Have big, life-enriching experiences that would be impossible to organise without lots of time and insider knowledge.
Simplicity
Make the most of your vacation time by letting someone else do the hard work and boring logistics!
Peace of mind
Small group tours take care of the security aspects – and provide a safety net should anything unexpected happen.
If you don’t have three months to spend exploring, small groups trips let you cover more ground in less time. Your days are not spent queuing for tickets or finding hotels – so you can squeeze more into your vacation.
Solo travelers who’d like company
Likeminded travel companions plus peace of mind for those traveling alone. Single supplements are usually available – providing privacy if you want it.
Less confident travelers
Stray from the tourist trail without worrying about getting lost, and meet local people without dealing with the language barrier.
Couples and friends have private rooms, and you can choose to eat alone or not. Single supplements give solo travelers their own room.
“There won’t be any free time”
Free mornings or afternoons let you explore on your own, or just relax.
“The accommodation will be basic”
Trips are as high or low end as you like. Though off the beaten track destinations won’t have luxury hotels, this is all part of the adventure.
“I won’t like the other travelers!”
Tour operators try to create groups with a similar demographic – age, families, activity levels... Chances are, you’ll even make new friends.
“Will we be following an umbrella?”
No.
Responsible tourism
Sicily tour, classical Sicily
Carbon reduction
Your vacation will help support local people and conservation. We must also reduce CO2. Learn about the CO2 emissions of this vacation and how to reduce them.
Environment
Our Tour Leaders are trained by us in the importance of responsible tourism with guidance given on how they can make a difference.
The majority of accommodation used on this trip is locally owned and in which you experience great food, most of which is sourced locally, and lovely Sicilian wine. This not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of percolating money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit. Other people too benefit from our visit includes drivers and local guides, as well as the staff in our local handling agent's office, which is based on the island.
Though you will need to drink plenty on this trip, we encourage you not to buy bottled water due to the plastic waste this generates. Tap water is perfectly drinkable in this area so bring your own reusable water bottle.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.
4 Reviews of Sicily tour, classical Sicily
Reviewed on 06 Oct 2013 by Laurence Cale
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Difficult one - there was something interesting every day. For me the ascent of
Etna was one of the highlights.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Opt for the optional excursion to Mt Etna!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Use of local guides and family run hotels benefited local people
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good - enjoyed it.
Reviewed on 06 Oct 2013 by Simon Phillips
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
1. The ruins of Agrigento and Segesta
2 The Phoenician settlement on Mozia
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't fly Alitalia!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly supported the local economy, and was very environmentally aware
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very busy, as expected, but very enjoyable with the exception of the appalling chaos at Catania airport, waiting over an hour to be checked in by one checker for all the Alitalia flights leaving Catania that morning, while the express check-in had two operatives. The crowning glory was that our luggage never left the airport. I await its arrival with eager anticipation!
Reviewed on 12 Jun 2012 by Adam Patchett
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Visiting outstanding classical sights such as the quarry in Syracuse where 7000 athenians were enslaved, or the temples of Akragas, the theatre of Segesta carved into the hillside, the island of Motya overrun by Dionysius. The Palatine Chapel in Palermo is breathtaking.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This is a very busy schedule. Be prepared to feel that you haven't had enough time at many of the sites.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The local people need the tourist income, and I guess at least some of the fees from the sites finds its way to conservation projects.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A lightning tour of some fabulous sites in Sicily. A bit like a fine dining taster menu that leaves one wanting more.
Reviewed on 25 Nov 2011 by Richard Trist
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Siracusa - the Greek Temple in use today as the cathedral.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Travel in the shoulder months.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good.
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